Summary of the Event

I participated in the IWA Resource Recovery Conference 2021, a specialist global event focused on advancing the circular economy within the water sector. The conference brought together researchers, utilities, technology providers, regulators and industry partners to explore how wastewater and sludge can be transformed into valuable resources.

The 2021 programme covered scientific advances, full‑scale case studies, policy developments and emerging technologies for recovering energy, nutrients, materials and water from wastewater streams. The virtual format enabled broad international participation and facilitated knowledge exchange across continents.

Key Themes Covered

• Circular economy in the water sector
  Strategies for shifting from linear treatment models to resource‑centric approaches.
• Nutrient recovery (phosphorus, nitrogen, ammonia)
  Technologies such as struvite crystallisation, ammonia stripping, biological nutrient recovery and market development for recovered products.
• Energy recovery and carbon reduction
  Advances in anaerobic digestion, biogas upgrading, energy‑positive wastewater treatment and carbon‑neutral utility strategies.
• Water reuse and advanced treatment
  High‑quality reclaimed water for industrial, agricultural and potable applications.
• Emerging technologies
  Bio‑electrochemical systems, membrane innovations, thermal hydrolysis, and novel biological processes.
• Policy, regulation and market development
  How regulatory frameworks and economic incentives can accelerate resource recovery adoption.
• Case studies from utilities worldwide
  Demonstrations of full‑scale implementation, operational lessons and performance outcomes.